The Metropolitan D.C.-Virgina Soccer Association

Founded 1972

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ #1: I want to get on a team in the MDCVSA. How can I do that?
Answer: The MDCVSA is not a league. It is the state-level organizing body for adult amateur soccer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. The MDCVSA's authority is derived from its affiliation with the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and United States Soccer Federation, Inc. (USSF), which is affiliated with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). A listing of the MDCVSA's member leagues can be found under the link, "Affiliated Leagues", on our home page. Almost all leagues listed has a link directly to their website. There are many leagues to chose from, Men's, Women's, and Coed, with help pages on how to join.

FAQ #2: Does the MDCVSA run any tournaments?
Answer: The only tournaments that the MDCVSA conducts are its state championships. In the 2008-'09 year, the MDCVSA held the following competitions:

State Cup
Veterans Cup
Over 30 Cup
The MDCVSA does sanction tournaments run by its member leagues. For a listing of MDCVSA sanctioned tournaments, please go to the MDCVSA "Tournaments " link, on our home page.

FAQ #3: As a member league, can we apply to Host a Tournament, and what are the procedures?
Answer:To host an affiliated/sanctioned tournament in MDCVSA territory, leagues must adhere to the guidelines listed below. This agreement is intended for situations where the organizer is hosting an inter-league tournament, i.e. teams participating from multiple leagues.
(NOTE: if the organizer is hosting an intra-league tournament, i.e. participating players are all currently registered in the same league, there is no requirement to submit an application to MDCVSA. However, the organizer does need to verify all players are currently registered, check player passes and follow guidelines set forth by MDCVSA for regular league play.)
The following items must be submitted, along with a $25 processing fee, to MDCVSA no later than 120 days in advance of the proposed date(s) of the event.
       Please send it via email to:
               mdcvsaprez@gmail.com
               martibevan@aol.com
               mbzoe@aol.com
      As well as the hardcopy, via snail mail to:
          MDCVSA
          PO BOX 673
          Locust Grove, Va 22508
Application to host a tournament along with a signed copy of the hosting agreement.
Proposed copy of tournament rules for the event.
Proposed copy of the affiliation guidelines which outlines the process for verification of players from other leagues/states. For an example, you can visit www.neptunesoccer.com and click on “affiliation”. You are permitted to use this as a guideline. At a minimum, affiliation guidelines must outline the following:
Player affiliation/guest player registration
Roster verification process/player passes
Registration/tournament check-in

FAQ #4: My team is going to travel to an out-of-state tournament. The tournament director says that we need "Travel Papers" to participate. What are these and how do I get them?
Answer: "Travel Papers" are authorization from your USASA state association - in this case the MDCVSA - to enter a USASA sanctioned tournament. The "Travel Papers" certify that all of your players are registered with USASA. You would need to do the following:

Convert the roster to a Microsoft Excel file, by using the form, Registration Data Excel Spreadsheet
Send the Excel file to the following persons:
MDCVSA Registrar - Tina Davis
MDCVSA President - James Sadowski
MDCVSA Administrator - Mary Beth Falk
The MDCVSA Registrar will verify the player list, then, if all the players are properly registered, the MDCVSA will issue the travel letter.
The MDCVSA will attach the list of the players that have been verified to the travel letter.

FAQ #5: What are the benefits of joining the MDCVSA? Why should I consider joining an affiliated league? As a league administrator, why should I consider affiliating my league with MDCVSA?
Answer: Many local soccer leagues have decided to join the Metropolitan D.C. - Virginia Soccer Association (MDCVSA). The MDCVSA is a State Association, and is a member of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). In turn, the USASA is a member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

A number of administrative bodies work together (admittedly, sometimes they compete, but generally they work together) towards the overall development of soccer within the United States.

Support for the United States Soccer Federation

The USSF sets aside substantial resources for the men’s national team (currently in the top 15 in the world) and the women’s national team (always within the top 3 teams in the world). In addition, the USSF has set aside resources for eight youth national teams - four boy’s teams and four girl’s teams. The USSF & the U.S. Soccer Foundation have developed the National Training Center in Los Angeles, along with the Brandenton Academy in Florida, to develop and educate these athletes.

When the SARS crisis hit China in 2003, the USSF staged the Women's World Cup with only three months’ notice, risking substantial money and prestige. This international competition was well-respected. Sadly, the Women’s United Soccer Association suspended operations on the eve of the competition, but nevertheless the tournament went forward and was a success. The USSF is actively working with WUSA investors to form a stabled and financially-solvent league in the long-term.

These are the types of programs that happen at the national level. U.S. Soccer can only exist with income from member organizations like the USASA and MDCVSA. If we want soccer to grow as a sport, we need to support the overall administrative framework.

Support for Professional and Semi-Professional Leagues

The MDCVSA supports the efforts of the several professional and semi-professional teams in Virginia and Washington, DC:

Support for Recreational Leagues, Teams, and Players

What about those recreational adult players who don’t want to compete at the professional or international level? How does the Metropolitan D.C. - Virginia Soccer Association (MDCVSA) benefit these players? To help league managers, the MDCVSA State Association provides liability insurance, which covers up to $1 million in damages. This is important piece-of-mind coverage for all league and team managers.

The State Association also provides secondary medical insurance to uninsured and underinsured players, with a $400 deductible and a $4,000 maximum. The majority of your membership fees goes to providing this important medical coverage.

The State Association supports one of the best State Referee Programs in the country. The State Referee Program offers training for new officials (and there’s always a shortage of officials), and provides assessments and advancement opportunities for experienced officials. Should you ever have a case of referee abuse or referee assault in your league, you can turn to the MDCVSA to handle the disciplinary hearing for your player -- and any enforcement actions would carry state-wide for that player. In that capacity, the MDCVSA protect the interests of the referees, leagues and players.

The State Association actively supports our affiliated tournaments. In addition, we regularly sponsor the MDCVSA State Cup competition and run the in-state qualifying for the USASA National Cups. Affiliated players are also eligible to participate in the Select Team program.

Finally, the State Association works to promote friendship and consistency across its member leagues, players, and teams. Through this impartial governing body, teams and leagues can participate in a legitimate appeals process.

Metropolitan D.C. - Virginia Soccer Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 673
Locust Grove, Va 22508
(703) 492-KICK(5425)
http://www.mdcvsa.org

Copyright © 2009